Cambridgeshire County Council and other public sector bodies across the region are set to see major savings and benefits from a new Cambridgeshire IT Network agreement, linking Cambridgeshire public services and improving broadband for schools.
The new Cambridgeshire Public Sector Network (the CPSN) contract has been awarded to Virgin Media Business following a successful partnership procurement led by the County Council.
The new network will provide increased bandwidth for more than 200 schools and provide significant savings thanks to improved IT, making it easier for public services to work in partnership.
Currently the partnership includes Cambridgeshire County Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire & Rescue Service as well as the voluntary and community sector represented by the Cambridge Citizen's Advice Bureau.
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Linda Oliver, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance, said: “The new Cambridgeshire Public Sector Network agreement will provide faster, more cost-effective and secure networks that will enable public services across Cambridgeshire to deliver more efficient services. Shared networking will keep costs down, delivering more for less while providing real benefits for our communities.”
“We’re absolutely committed to helping the public sector do more with technology, whether that be connecting multiple buildings with a super-fast network, empowering them to use the cloud or sharing valuable data across organisations. The CPSN Framework is a great example of the future of public sector technology procurement and we’re incredibly proud to be making this happen. What’s particularly exciting is that it’s not just about empowering the public sector in Cambridgeshire, the new network will put in place a platform for delivering projects and services that will bring long term benefits to the wider community,” said Mark Heraghty, Managing Director of Virgin Media Business.
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About Virgin Media Business
Virgin Media Business has the UK’s only nationwide fibre optic network, carrying 35 per cent of all business broadband traffic. Already able to reach 85 per cent of businesses in the UK, Virgin Media Business has the ability to connect to all organisations. The largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group, it prides itself on delivering innovative, high quality solutions that breakdown the barriers facing UK businesses today.
Staff are located at 40 offices across the country, meaning that Virgin Media Business really is closer to its customers. Organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Nottingham Building Society, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water.
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